Steps to Take After Becoming a Victim

Contact all creditors, by phone and in writing to inform them of the problem.

Notify the U.S. Postal inspector if your mail has been stolen or tampered with.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the problem. The FTC is the federal clearinghouse for complaints for victims of identity theft. The FTC helps victims by providing information to help resolve financial and other problems that could result from identity theft. Their hotline telephone number is 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).

Ask to have a “fraud alert / victim impact” statement placed in your credit file asking that creditors call you before opening any new accounts.

Request that a copy of your credit report be sent to you.

Call each of the three credit bureaus’ fraud units to report identity theft.

Alert your banks to flag your accounts and contact you to confirm any unusual activity.

Request a change of PIN and a new password.

If you have any checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to the following companies:

National Check Fraud Service: 843-571-2143

SCAN: 800-262-7771

TeleCheck: 800-710-9898 or 800-927-0188

CheckRite: 800-766-2748

CrossCheck: 707-586-0551

Equifax Check Systems: 800-437-5120

International Check Services: 800-526-5380

Contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.

Contact the state office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if another license was issued in your name. If so, request a new license number and fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.

Obtain the description of the suspect, if known.

Obtain witness information.

What is the financial loss to you? Attach all supporting documentation.